Our people have a fascinating story! So fascinating that no author has yet been found who could invent such a story with such a surprising and incomprehensible plot! This fascinating and in-depth course will lead participants on an unforgettable journey through the ancient and captivating past of the people of Israel, brilliantly combining the biblical narrative with consolidated archaeological evidence (such as remains of settlements, houses, inscriptions, and various objects) discovered in archaeological excavations throughout the country.

We will discover what archaeological findings can tell us about the layers of ancient Jewish history – from the people's entry into the land, through the period of the Judges, the establishment of the Kingdom of Israel and the House of David dynasty, the division of the kingdom, the kingdoms of Judah and Israel, and the events of destruction and ruin.

The course will shed new light on biblical stories through tangible archaeological evidence such as remnants of settlements, inscriptions, and everyday objects, providing context and reality within which the books of the Writings and Prophets were written.

We will also learn about the situation in the Land of Israel during the 'Canaanite' or 'Bronze' period, as it's known in research, just before the entry of the people of Israel into the land. We'll explore the first appearances of Israelite settlements in the area, during the period of 'settlement' and the days of the Judges, and the unique material culture of those new residents.

We'll learn what archaeological findings can teach us about the greatest enemies of the people of Israel in the days of the Judges and King Saul – the Philistines, the establishment of the Kingdom of Israel and the House of David dynasty, Jerusalem, the division of the kingdom, the alternative temples in Dan and Bethel, the kingdom of Ahab in Samaria, and the destruction and exile of the Kingdom of Israel.

We'll also learn about Jerusalem in the days of the kings of Judah, and the archaeological evidence for Sennacherib's campaign and the miraculous salvation of Jerusalem in the days of Hezekiah.

We'll pay special attention to the archaeology of life and death in Israelite society, exploring the structure of houses and everyday objects in the world of the living, and peeking into ancient burial caves and the surprising discoveries found within them in the world of the dead.

Towards the end, we'll tell the story of the destruction of the First Temple and the Babylonian exile, combined with fascinating findings from the destruction of the cities of Judah and Jerusalem.

* The course material will be tailored to the age of the learners.